Boy Meets Maria

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The manga treats gender is really interesting it sees it not as a fix trait but as a blurry and confusing aspect of one’s self. It doesn’t jump immediately to labels, and prefers to explore different aspects of gender. Disregarding the origins of the gender questioning (Which I find unnecessarily complicated, questionable but understandable) the way the person in question views his (Pronouns used to refer to him in the book) gender is surprisingly relatable. The best part of the book besides the romance (which is really cute) is the fact that the person never finishes by labeling him self and that every body accepts ... it.

The protagonist is way over done, but in a way that fits well in the story. His back story didn’t really impact his character and could have been nonexistent with out impacting the story. A other notable par of the character is his sexuality which also remains unlabelled but rare for masculine protagonists.

(TLDR at the bottom)

This story is kinda ironic. In a world where drama and acting are supposed to feel intense and real, it is hard to even appreciate this story for that reason, because that drama present here isn't particularly good in my honest opinion.

The synopsis is there for you to understand the beginning, so I won't go over that too much other than the title also does a good job at summarising the beginning. You'd think it is a light novel-esque bait title, but respect for this title being actually coherent to the story and short to read, but that's beside the point. What ... I want to touch upon are the themes of this manga and how they didn't really invoke anything out of me as I thought it may have.

In a manga about acting; to play roles in a way that you convey your emotion with such believable strengths, I don't know what was up with this need to have explosive plot devices determine everything about both characters. I won't get into too much detail because of spoilers, but it came across to me as a cheat method for the characters to grow or reason their means to do X and Y. This wasn't just a one-off thing. I counted three "cheated" plot devices. Two of which were "explosive", and the other one was just backstory for the other character. It also goes to show, that this dude was based around a theme of the past. It's strange. You'd think they'd have some human to them, but instead are just literally determined by past events and only that. What can I say though? I will give them credit for their acting skill though. Whilst I don't believe the support is there to make me feel anything strong about them, both Amira and Taiga have passion for sure—even if it can come across as a hack of some kind. These aren't just some half-hearted people looking to pass some subject, they are going all out to impress their respective audiences. The lead up to it is nothing short of entertaining to watch, to say the least. I like these guys in that category, and the connection between Amira and Taiga in this saga is also equally pleasing to read.

I suppose they aren't entirely bad characters per se, but rather, multiple (keyword here) melodramatic moments accompanied with a presentation of being very sincere and real didn't quite come across to me as something to take entirely seriously. It's like some unnecessary juxtaposition that didn't really need to exist; it just ruined the validity when it does. Otherwise, I get what was supposed to be presented here, and I will admit that it is good and serviceable. Something that only deserves praise (in which it already does).

The art isn't particularly phenomenal, but it is good enough to have lasting pleasant memories of, which is honestly something I didn't expect this manga would have. It's just… really clean and stylish enough to have its own personal identity attached to it. Nothing more, nothing less. I suppose on every odd occasion, the powerful scene has its artistic works elevated slightly, but that's usually just to bring out the most of what is currently visible. All in all, it's pretty good.


TLDR: A drama story that's too convenient, not that it is necessarily a problem, but it was to a point where I couldn't really take everything seriously. Otherwise great art, and even if I wasn't the biggest fan, the point came across, and that was enough for me to enjoy it (and should be for literally anyone who isn't cynical).

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That's really all I have to say about Boy Meets Maria. It's pretty highly acclaimed, and I can see the reason why people liked it, but I already explained why this wasn't particularly something I enjoyed. It's a little sad though, stories like these are to enjoy, and I don't really have the highest of standards, but I really only want consistency and not another experience where nothing makes sense or is outrageously annoying (ReLife former, Golden Time latter). It's sadder that the creator of this manga has actually passed away too. They seemed to be going strong with another manga after the creation of this one. A sad loss for the industry indeed. But I thank Eguchi Kousei for making Boy Meets Maria even if I wasn't the biggest fan.

It's not a long story, it can be read in like an hour or 2 and I would recommend this to BL fans too. It's not one of those rapey ones or anything disgusting like that (at least between the main two), it's actually quite wholesome, even if rough beginnings. But that's about it from me.

I am insanely disappointed in this book!!! It pretends its going to be progressive at the start and seems really good; I had my hopes up only to have them set on fire. I do have to say I didn't finish because at the halfway point I was so upset with it I threw it accross the room, something I've never done before.
This book feels insanely offensive to trans people, I say that as one myself! I am pissed at the horrible reprentation DO NOT READ THIS MANGA!!! I am upset, I am angry, I am done. Being transgender isn't the result of poor ... parenting!!!!!